The final chapter in NUS Reform is almost upon us!
On Tuesday 20 January 2009 in Wolverhampton Civic Hall, the NUS Extraordinary Conference, called on the subject of NUS Reform, ratified the new core constitution with what was reported as
about 90% of delegates voting for the proposals.
Now I was there and I’d say that it was more like 95% as only about two dozen or so delegates voted against, out of 800+ that were present.
That aside, the rubbish that the left were spouting this time around was quite repetitive and really was poor. The basic arguments were that the conference was undemocratic and the proposals should be discussed at NUS Annual Conference in April of this year. There was even a procedural motion asking for the decision to be moved to
another body or meeting, but this was out of order (as the chair rightly ruled) as the (old) constitution stated that substantial changes must be voted on at two
consecutive conferences. As for the conference itself, it had been called for by over 25 constituent member unions through their own democratic processes; the conference then had to be held within three to seven weeks of those calls being received. There was no choice in the matter!
This, of course, was just a cynical ploy from the left to confuse delegates and, hopefully (for them) get them to vote against the proposals.
But that was only part of the entertainment on offer. Just as we were about to take the vote on the main motion, some of the delegates stood up on conference floor and stormed the stage (peacefully, to be fair) in protest of a certain political situation involving some middle eastern people. I’m not going to publicise the cause further as that would give them credibility. Anyway, the conference was halted for a time, before the chair announced that we were going to an access break (that was scheduled anyway). Most delegates made their way outside the hall and onto the street where Wes, the National President, came out and told the crowd, “
You might have noticed that we’ve had an unplanned invasion and occupation of the stage! … I’m not about to let anyone railroad this conference. If we have to, we’ll have the vote right here on the street!” A chant of
Free the Stage was started up to counter the chants of the occupiers.
We eventually got back in, but the protesters hadn’t budged. It was
agreed that the stage would be returned to its original state once Rob Owen had made a 5 minute speech on their reasons for the protest. Not the best situation to be lumbered with, and after a few boos and other ways of showing disagreement with the proceedings, Rob Owen took to the rostrum which prompted a large proportion of the delegates to, again, leave the hall and assemble on the street or in the foyer. Many of those that remained in the hall, including myself, turned their backs on the stage and the speaker; a show of defiance against what was being said but more against the way the incident was conducted and obviously planned. Furthermore, it was intimidating to many delegates, which is against all of NUS’s rules on such matters (not that the left ever cared about them). After the speech, the protesters didn’t move and remained on the stage!
It was not the time or place to hold the protest. It lends absolutely no weight to their cause whatsoever. They were a laughing stock and brought the NUS into disrepute because of the selfish actions. I defend their right to protest peacefully in public, and if they wanted to march into the city centre every weekend then (as long as the necessary laws are adhered to) they can do. What I can not condone is intimidation of other people!
So the conference continued with the stage still occupied, and the occupiers unable to vote because of that (which they were well aware of). As mentioned above, the vote was overwhelming; a count was certainly not required. Even if those on the stage were able to vote, it still would’ve been clearly passed.
A great day for NUS reform, but a bad day in the history of NUS.
JR
Thursday saw the last ever NUS regional conference. Held at MMUnion on Oxford Road in Manchester, the North area conference was unfortunately not attended by the National President, Wes Streeting, but the last ever NUS National Secretary (Bubble) very capably conducted proceedings.
